FINAL 2009 RANKINGS DIVISION II TOP 30 PRESEASON RANKINGS There is no absence of quality teams this year making the positioning of the clubs, very, very, very, very, very difficult. Very difficult. Many people ask how teams are ranked and what the criteria is. We use an advanced algebra formula in establishing our rankings. It's rather lengthy, but effective. The formula is: [(nerdy statistical data + archived historical results) / campus mojo X tradition X (astrology forcast/4) + pep levels] + ((talent + tarot card reading)/coaching)^2 = 2010 perspective ranking Throughout the season updated rankings will be released first on Twitter. Follow us as http://twitter.com/pingbaseball to get the latest scoop first.

DII College Baseball Rankings - Updated January 13, 2010

Teams: 1-10 • 11-20 • 21-30

Rank	Team
21	MESA STATE COLLEGE MAVERICKS (44-15, Final 2009 Ranking: 5) The Mavericks advanced to the DII CWS last season thanks in large part to their mile high .376 team batting average. For Mesa State to hit anywhere near that number again they will need a number of new players to step up as they will be without five starters from last year’s club. Thankfully for fans of the maroon and white, Kevin Becker (.468, 7, 59, .759 SLG%) and Marty Rover (.416, 1, 30) are back in Grand Junction, along with Chase Moore (.339, 2, 13) and Austin Buck (.347, 2, 34), two players who performed well in limited roles. Sophomores Garrett Carpenter (7.48, 1-0) Kyle Davis (4.34, 0-0) only pitched a combined 40 innings last season, but are expected to be big factors in the Mavericks reaching forty wins for the sixth time in seven seasons.
22	WESTERN OREGON WOLVES (34-14, Final 2009 Ranking: 22) The Wolves have been the bully of the GNAC as of late and there is no reason to believe that they won’t be once again. Blake Keitzman (2.08, 9-0) held opposition to a .197 batting average and will be looking to end his career on a high note. He’ll be rejoined by fellow First Team All GNAC’ers Jacob Pettit (3.48, 6-3) and Kirk Lind (3.04, 6-1). The offense may be the Wolves Achilles’ heel as five batters who hit over .300, and one who hit over .400 (over .460 even!), are gone from the team. Still circling the bases will be Jason Moseby (.376, 2, 34) and Bill Clontz (.357, 3, 21), both of whom also earned All GNAC honors.
23	GEORGIA COLLEGE AND STATE BOBCATS (37-19, Final 2009 Ranking: 26) Sean Harrell (.350, 7, 41, 29 SB) and the Bobcats left room to improve after a respectable regular season followed by a disappointing two game ouster in the Southeast Regional. A big part of the Bobcats’ success last season was their ability to swipe bases. GCSU stole over four times as many bases as opposition last year and had an amazing 86% success rate. Harrell, Chandler Bell (.326, 1, 28. 19 SB), Matt Pitts (.313, 7, 36, 18) and Kyle Allen (.291, 3, 21 ,27) will once again keep catchers on their toes. The Bobcats return two primary starters in Eric Pettepher (5.38, 7-2) and Clete Jessup (6.22, 5-3) along with a pair of relievers in Ryan Tabor (3.68, 5-2) and Martin Dewald (4.20, 5-3, 14 SVs, 53 K in 40.2) who will keep them constantly in contention.
24	TUSCULUM COLLEGE PIONEERS (36-18, Final 2009 Ranking: 28) The Pioneers sputtered a bit to start 2009, but had a respectable second half to rejoin the rankings. With an experienced lineup and pitching staff, TC should be a ratings candidate all season long. Tusculum returns their top five batters, with Nate Grabowski (.406, 7, 11) and Jared Richmond (.358, 11, 49) leading the orange and black attack. While the offense is back in spades, experienced pitching is not as plentiful. No pitcher who appeared in over 40 innings or started more than six games will be back, however Taylor Rakes (3.38, 5-1), Kyle Smith (2.93, 0-0) and Michael Franklin (2.96, 2-0) all showed signs of being invaluable contributors as freshmen.
25	SLIPPERY ROCK THE ROCK (36-15, Final 2009 Ranking: NR) The Rock appears to be a formidable as fellow "Rock", Dwyane Johnson as they contend for a title in the always competitive PSAC. Even without last year’s PSAC Player of the Year and national batting title winner Matt Adams, Slippery Rock will field an offensive juggernaut. Five everyday starters return to the lineup including Matt Kosik (.443, 6, 22), Adam Jury (.395, 3, 41), Derek DiRuscia (.379, 4, 46) and Jacob Oswalt (.379, 5, 43); each of the four batted at least .379. On the mound, Vince Lloyd (3.19, 8-1, 58 K in 53.2) has a 90+ gasser, as does Buffalo transfer Jason Steen and Don Pugliese (2.66, 1-2 in 2008) who is returning to the diamond after missing most of 2009 due to injury.
26	WEST ALABAMA TIGERS (38-16, Final 2009 Ranking: 17) The GSC East Division Champions will have their work cut out for them if they are to repeat. Their top three leaders in batting average and top two starting pitchers have been lost due to eligibility. Nevertheless, the Tigers don't need a pity party. Kevin Deese (.314, 17, 54) can change the outcome of a game with a single swing of the bat and three other returning batters hit over .300. Closer Brian Burgess (3.31, 1-1, 11 SV) was selected to the Valley Baseball League All-Star game over the summer.
27	CATAWBA COLLEGE INDIANS (36-18, Final 2009 Ranking: 23) Catawba third baseman Craige Lyerly (.444, 13, 50, 27 SB) is like a futuristic hitting machine sent back in time to destroy South Atlantic Conference pitchers. After batting .390 as a sophomore, he raised his average another .54 points, amassed a .707 slugging percentage and currently has a 35 game hitting streak. He’ll be back for the Indians once again, rejoined by Josh Hohn (.338, 12, 42) to give Catawba an enviable one-two punch in their lineup. The rest of the lineup and the pitching staff is somewhat sketchy due to graduations; however the staff does have two proven arms in Nathan Furr (2.27, 4-0, 8 SVs) and Trevor Mullins (3.76, 5-4, 2 SHO).
28	ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC STATE PIRATES (38-18, Final 2009 Ranking: NR) Despite playing one of toughest schedules in the country the Pirates quietly put together respectable but not remarkable results last season. With their leading hitter Alex Wyche (.398, 6, 58), top starting pitcher Thomas Gray (2.80, 8-4) and primary reliever Ryan Smith (2.70, 5-2, 9 SVs, .201 B/Ave) all returning, they will be in prime position to once again compete for a Peach Belt title and a return trip to the NCAAs; especially if AASU continues to play fundament ball. Last season the Pirates fielded at a .972 clip (fourth in the nation), had 101 sacrifice hits (first nationally), drew 240 walks (26th) and only issued 158 free passes (17th in walks allowed).
29	BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE CRUSADERS (40-26, Final 2009 Ranking: 4) The Crusaders suffered two major setbacks following their first DII CWS appearance. Head coach Kermit Smith left the school for Lander and slugger Daniel Kassouf, who lead DII in home runs with 29, transferred to Appalachian State. Nevertheless, BAC can’t be completely counted out in 2010. Much of the remaining offense returns, including Justin Vasques (.351, 10, 71) and Spencer Sobol (.357, 5, 35) who broke out big last season. Tyler Powell (3.90, 7-3) and Michael Maples (6.60, 4-3) give new coach Scott Brickman two experienced starters and Steven Thiele (4.55, 2-2) had an impressive freshman season out of the bullpen.
30	MOUNT OLIVE TROJANS (33-18, Final 2009 Ranking: NR) The Trojans had a ghastly middle of the season which torpedoed them in the rankings and ruined their opportunity at defending their title in the postseason. However the MOC did close their season out in style, winning 13 of 15 to close the season. The boys in green appear to be ready to return to the elite and get back to the postseason after winning in all in 2008. Jesse Lancaster (.358, 5, 29, 24 SB), the son of Head Coach Carl Lancaster, is expected to lead the Trojans into battle, rejoining on the offense by Dylan Holton (.320, 3, 43, 19 SB) and Airlon Vinson (.355, 3, 40). Ryan Williams (2.13, 2-2, 22 K and 12 H in 25.3 IP) is one of few pitchers returning to action for the Trojans.

Teams: 1-10 • 11-20 • 21-30